BESTSELLER - "Terrific... gripping... A literally shattering climax." -- The New York Times Book Review All along the Mediterranean coast, the Roman empire’s richest citizens are relaxing in their luxurious villas, enjoying the last days of summer. The world’s largest navy lies peacefully at anchor in Misenum. The tourists are spending their money in the seaside resorts of Baiae, Herculaneum, and Pompeii. But the carefree lifestyle and gorgeous weather belie an impending cataclysm, and only one man is worried. The young engineer Marcus Attilius Primus has just taken charge of the Aqua Augusta, the enormous aqueduct that brings fresh water to a quarter of a million people in nine towns around the Bay of Naples. His predecessor has disappeared. Springs are failing for the first time in generations. And now there is a crisis on the Augusta’ s sixty-mile main line—somewhere to the north of Pompeii, on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Attilius—decent, practical, and incorruptible—promises Pliny, the famous scholar who commands the navy, that he can repair the aqueduct before the reservoir runs dry. His plan is to travel to Pompeii and put together an expedition, then head out to the place where he believes the fault lies. But Pompeii proves to be a corrupt and violent town, and Attilius soon discovers that there are powerful forces at work—both natural and man-made—threatening to destroy him. With his trademark elegance and intelligence, Robert Harris, bestselling author of Archangel and Fatherland, re-creates a world on the brink of disaster.
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"It had me gripped from the very beginning- and I haven't been gripped to a book for a long while. The only two 'complaints' I have is that towards the end of the book Harris tends to give lengthy descriptions. For example, when Attilius is sailing with Pliny and is describing how the boat is being sailed and what they can see. I know it all adds to the thriller-aspect of it, but due to other parts which I was itching to read about, I grew qutie frustrated that I couldn't get to the part I wanted to read already ! Also the end of the novel could have done with an extra passage about a certain aspect...but I won't say what as I don't want to give any spoilers way! Everyone should read this book!!!"
— Aimee (4 out of 5 stars)
" I listened to this in the car (so does that count??) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not sure how I would have felt had I read the pages instead, but it was a very entertaining listen. Although some of the voices were annoying, the characters were colorful, and the story brought out the images of ancient Pompeii in vivid detail. I loved hearing about what I have imagined of those fascinating times. "
— Marcy, 2/19/2014" Simply great... it was like living the last days of Pompei "here and now"! ;) "
— Piero, 2/18/2014" A weak story with dull characters and a forgettable ending. None of the motivations for anyone involved in the story felt real - they felt like explanations the author conjured up to make the plot move in a specific way. There didn't seem to be any PASSION involved in any of the characters, and I felt nothing for any of them. It was an easy enough read, which is why I got through it in a day, but left me feeling nothing throughout. Some of it was interesting, but I knew most of the facts already and it didn't really show much about the old way of living. It was a plain, boring book filled with nothing except meaningless words. I'm not recommending this to anyone. It left me feeling so 'eh' that if you wanted to read it, I wouldn't even be bothered convincing you not to. "
— Georgia, 2/16/2014" Meh. Very detailed with a wrap it ending that was a bit too hurried. "
— Bonnie, 2/12/2014" One of the best books I have ever read - stunning "
— Alan, 2/9/2014" Ok slightly boring at times but interesting historically "
— Joanne, 2/3/2014" I enjoyed reading this fictional history account of Pompeii. The story line was interesting and there were many historical and factual details that made me feel like I was learning at the same time.I plan to read more by Robert Harris. "
— Diane, 1/31/2014" If you like historical narratives, I think it is a good read. "
— Docktoag, 1/31/2014" I enjoyed this book. Well written and interesting subject matter "
— Michael, 1/17/2014" Another really enjoyable historical novel. Definitely recommended. "
— Rochelle, 1/14/2014" Very well written, engaging story, and a good history lesson to boot. "
— Pete, 1/13/2014" Pretty good depiction of what it may have been like during the eruption of Vesuvius. Some unnecessary descriptions of Roman excesses, but all in all a tight novel with a nice closing. "
— Samuel, 1/10/2014" Not as good as Fatherland but really enjoyed it. "
— Carlos, 1/3/2014" Great historical thriller.Harris is very good at bringing historical figures to life. Deeply searched and wonderfully crafted book. Reader lives the daily life of Romans and learn a lot about the Roman engineering. Hard to put down. "
— Defneandac, 1/1/2014" A terrific window on the amazing engineering and cultural feats of the Roman world. A gripping story - I had a hard time putting this one down, even though the ending is known from the start. I recommend this highly if you are a fan of historical semi-fiction. "
— Leslie, 12/30/2013" Supercool novel! A fiction novel with some reasearches from the past real event at ancient Pompeii, Neapoli! "
— Rezanna, 12/23/2013" Well researched, with fascinating details about the ancient aqueducts and how brilliantly engineered they were. Also an excellent story. We know the inevitable ending, but I enjoyed hearing all the details about how the whole process happened. "
— Jannine, 12/23/2013" Great re-imaging of the story of 79ad "
— Lewis, 12/21/2013" Eh, it was ok. Kinda dragged on...and on...and on "
— Craig, 12/21/2013" Absolutely loved this book! It was a perfect balance of non-fiction and fiction, and kept me wanting to learn more. Love story, drama, mystery, death and survival. Must read. "
— Paige, 12/20/2013" I enjoyed this as much the second time as the first. I just love how Harris packs this with so many real fact without compromising the exciting plot. "
— Emily, 12/16/2013" A fast and gripping read with a wonderful hero. "
— Chandra, 12/9/2013" enjoyed this one but it had some weak spots "
— Jackie, 12/7/2013" I really enjoyed this book. The storytelling was tight, the plot arc polished and it was exciting through to the end. I don't read that much historical fiction but I felt like I was learning about the aqueducts, volcanoes and Rome without lectures and boring lists of facts. "
— Jennifer, 11/24/2013" I don't usually like non-fiction or anything that closely resembles non-fiction but this book was actually really good. I thought Harris was able to weave a plausible story the way life might have been like for the different people living around Pompeii. An interesting perspective. Great book! "
— Rachel, 11/21/2013" So far so good. I just need to finish it! "
— Abby, 11/15/2013" A good read, but the characters weren't quite developed enough to merit a higher rating. "
— Mariesa, 9/18/2013" A novel set in Pompeii before/during the eruption of Vesuvius. The end was pretty exciting. Add a star if you're really interested in Roman aqueducts (and/or engineering in general.) "
— Scott, 7/31/2013" A quick and easy read. "
— Carl, 6/8/2013" when I read this book, being a junkie about anything to do with Rome, I read everything by Robert Harris.....enthralling and you will be there in Rome at its height and its fall. Not to be missed "
— Lyn, 4/7/2013" Extremely detailed account of the final days before the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.Istudied Latin for 5 years and really enjoyed the details in this book, but I did think the usual male-female sexual descriptions were emphasized too much "
— Sylvia, 2/18/2013" Lots of great information about Vesuvius/Pompeii, and the later stages of the Roman Empire. "
— David, 2/17/2013" Great read, exciting and emotional, especially because I was just in Pompeii two weeks ago so could picture the setting and scenery. The author made it all come alive for me. "
— Carolyn, 2/1/2013" Fantastic book - one of my favourite historical novels I have read. "
— Adrian, 12/17/2012" I've read this book three times now. Great murder mystery combined with fascinating details of Roman life PLUS the most engaging account of the fabled eruption of Mount Vesuvius. What more could one ask for? "
— Nancie, 12/6/2012" Kinda sucked. Historically evocative, but not enough suspense leading us up to Pompeii: Judgment Day. "
— Lee, 11/24/2012" An amazing book! I throroughly enjoyed reading this book! The author was able to give you a sense of what life was like when tragedy hit Pompeii. A definite need to read! "
— Jennifer, 9/1/2012" I really enjoyed this book. It read very quickly, and appeared to be very well researched. The characters were extremely well developed and "attachable." I loved the conspiracy to hide the truth from the populace, good addition and certainly quite suspenseful! "
— Deni, 7/5/2012" A quick and easy read. "
— Carl, 4/19/2012" Harris takes the dead city of Pompeii and makes it live and breathe; bringing it so close that you could reach out and touch the ash. I think it's a compliment to his skill that, even though I know it was necessary, I was actually let down by the very, very ending. "
— Helen, 3/21/2012" I read this book when it first came out, apparently. Because I got it as a Book on CD and got to the third CD before I was certain it was the same account. Worth reading. "
— Alice, 2/11/2012" I went through a stage where anything set in this time frame, in this part of the world was enought o keep me enthralled. This one was terrfic. "
— Kandice, 2/8/2012" An good, interesting read. One of those books I would have never read if not for book club, but I am glad I did. "
— Rhiannon, 2/6/2012" Thought this was pretty good until I arrived at the anomalous line about global warming. Really jarring. Dropped a star just for that. "
— George, 12/8/2011" it just bored me from the very start. i did not enjoy it that much even though i do like to read historical fiction. "
— Bridgette, 11/6/2011" I Own it,Read it, Loved it! Roman History "
— Ange, 9/14/2011" A fine and interesting book, written with knowledgeable research and believable imagination. "
— Hannelore, 7/20/2011" Another one of the best historical fictions I've ever read. "
— John, 6/16/2011" I just never got into this book and never finished it. "
— Jill, 6/8/2011" A wonderful perspective from which to tell the story of the doomed city. <br/>As to the plotting and writing, howzabout ........ just plain awful! "
— Scott, 5/19/2011" A wonderful perspective from which to tell the story of the doomed city. <br/>As to the plotting and writing, howzabout ........ just plain awful! "
— Scott, 5/19/2011" So so. The last 40 pages were not bad, but it wasn't worth the wait. Told me more than I wanted to know about aquaducts. I read this for a book club; otherwise I would have chosen something else. "
— Eric, 5/18/2011" So so. The last 40 pages were not bad, but it wasn't worth the wait. Told me more than I wanted to know about aquaducts. I read this for a book club; otherwise I would have chosen something else. "
— Eric, 5/18/2011" Interesting account of the days leading up to the eruption of Mt Vesuvius and the disaster itself. "
— Krista, 5/10/2011" Really liked this one. Feel like in addition to an entertaining read, I got some education on Vesuvius and Pompeii. Will be interested to see other titles by Robert Harris. "
— Barbie, 5/10/2011" Interesting account of the days leading up to the eruption of Mt Vesuvius and the disaster itself. "
— Krista, 5/10/2011" Really liked this one. Feel like in addition to an entertaining read, I got some education on Vesuvius and Pompeii. Will be interested to see other titles by Robert Harris. "
— Barbie, 5/10/2011" Epic Harris, an intricate account of events at Pompeii,typing in with historical figures, explaining how water courses and buildings were constructed, and weaving everything together with richly-laden prose and intrigue. "
— Patricia, 5/5/2011" Epic Harris, an intricate account of events at Pompeii,typing in with historical figures, explaining how water courses and buildings were constructed, and weaving everything together with richly-laden prose and intrigue. "
— Patricia, 5/5/2011" This was solid, if not quite as good as I was hoping it would be. Interesting setting, obviously. Not as good as The Ghost. "
— Jake, 4/28/2011" This was solid, if not quite as good as I was hoping it would be. Interesting setting, obviously. Not as good as The Ghost. "
— Jake, 4/28/2011" This was so brilliant, the story and the excitement, and his ability to build anticipation when history tells us what will happen anyway is truly amazing. "
— Daisy, 4/25/2011" This was so brilliant, the story and the excitement, and his ability to build anticipation when history tells us what will happen anyway is truly amazing. "
— Daisy, 4/25/2011" I can't believe I liked a book that was about the eruption of a volcano but it was great and hard to put down. "
— Jeanne, 4/19/2011" I can't believe I liked a book that was about the eruption of a volcano but it was great and hard to put down. "
— Jeanne, 4/19/2011" An interesting and quick read. However, it lacked depth od detail and character. "
— Alison, 4/12/2011" An interesting and quick read. However, it lacked depth od detail and character. "
— Alison, 4/12/2011" Amazing how interesting aquaducts can be! "
— Tracey, 4/6/2011" Amazing how interesting aquaducts can be! "
— Tracey, 4/6/2011Robert Harris is the author of twelve novels, many of which have reached the New York Times bestseller list. Several of his books have been adapted to film, including The Ghost Writer. He has been a television correspondent with the BBC and a newspaper columnist for the London Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph. His novels have sold more than ten million copies and been translated into thirty languages.
John Lee is the winner of numerous Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He has twice won acclaim as AudioFile’s Best Voice in Fiction & Classics. He also narrates video games, does voice-over work, and writes plays. He is an accomplished stage actor and has written and coproduced the feature films Breathing Hard and Forfeit. He played Alydon in the 1963–64 Doctor Who serial The Daleks.